-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Pink hair , piercings and the name Emily -- Iowa father Paul Plate saw his own teenage daughter as he read about a different Emily 's harrowing experience with synthetic marijuana .

Plate had already had the conversation about the drug with his daughter . But reading about Emily Bauer , a Texas high school student left brain-damaged after smoking `` potpourri '' she bought at a convenience store , really put him in her parents ' shoes .

`` I felt horrible for her . I know we all do stupid things as kids , but to have an outcome like this is dreadful , '' said Plate , one of the thousands of readers who took the time to comment on the CNN.com story . `` I am a sucker for my little girl , so I know how I would feel in their place . ''

Bauer 's tale set off warning bells for parents across the country : What is this drug ? Why did n't her family keep her from smoking it ? What should I tell my kids ? What if that were my daughter ?

The teenager 's symptoms of psychosis and strokes would jolt just about any parent into a conversation about the dangers of synthetic marijuana . Add in the statistics about the drug 's popularity -- one in every nine U.S. high school seniors has admitted to smoking fake weed , according to a 2011 study -- and parents were alarmed .

Opinion : Regulate fake pot , it 's not going away

While parents like Plate sympathized with the Bauers , others said it would never happen to their kid .

`` The story points to another example of people who should n't be allowed to be parents , '' wrote Lynn DeArmond , who added she was thankful Emily is recovering .

She said her six children understand that using weed is unacceptable and they would face consequences if they smoked it . `` Parents need to start being parents instead of friends . To do otherwise results in these kind of stories or worse . ''

On the other side of the debate were parents who might allow their children to smoke real marijuana if that would keep them from experiencing Emily 's fate .

One dad argued for its legalization and suggested monitoring children while they try pot .

`` Honestly , if my child was seriously showing signs of wanting to smoke pot , or even just try it , I 'd probably buy it for them myself and make them do it at home , in a safe environment , just to make sure they 're responsible , '' commenter Rob Doerr wrote .

`` I think that 's the responsible thing to do . You 're being a parent , and monitoring your kid , making sure they do n't do anything dumb . ''

Synthetic marijuana just as dangerous

Emily 's stepfather , Tommy Bryant , welcomed the conversation because he wants to raise awareness of the drug , even if some of the comments were n't so kind .

`` I do n't wish this upon anybody , '' he said . `` My purpose is not to judge myself or judge others , but to get Emily well and help others learn from our mistakes , because obviously we did make a mistake , and I 'll be the first to admit it . ''

While Bryant knows there will be critics and people out there questioning his parenting , he said he 's just thankful to have more time with his daughter .

`` I think back to all the fond memories I have of her , then I realize that somehow , I got another chance to make more , '' he said on Wednesday . `` And these new memories may actually impact others in a positive way ... I am thankful . ''

Parents : Do you talk to your children about the dangers of drugs ? Why or why not ? Please share your thoughts in the comments below .

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Emily Bauer wound up in ICU after she smoked synthetic marijuana , her family says

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Bauer 's story received more than 7,000 comments , many from alarmed parents

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Synthetic marijuana is an herbal mixture sprayed with chemicals

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Bauer 's sister first shared the story with CNN iReport